BREAKING News: Eric Pickles calls in Hemswell Cliff wind-farm plans

Wind farm debate continues

Opponents to controversial plans for 10 wind turbines taller than Lincoln Cathedral at Hemswell Cliff have won a fresh battle in their campaign.

Today, Tuesday July 22, Sir Edward Leigh revealed that Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Local Government and Environment, has called in the proposal for his determination.

“This means that, just as with Kingerby, Eric will make the final call rather than the bureaucrats at the Planning Inspectorate,” the Gainsborough MP said.

“With the decision in Eric’s hands, I am very confident we will have a result which reflects the very strong opposition this proposal has faced. I have visited the site, spoken to local parish councillors, and read the letters in my in box. Local residents and other concerned parties are almost entirely against it.”

“While a rejection isn’t in the bag yet, it’s testament to the hard work put in by Villages of the Cliff Against Turbines and others to make sure this devastating proposal doesn’t go through. West Lindsey was completely right in refusing the application, and Eric Pickles has been vocal in backing up local decision-making,” Sir Edward commented.

The move follows the renewables company behind the project launching an appeal in May against a rejection of the plan by West Lindsey District Council late last year.

The proposal led to the formation of VOCAT - Villages of the Cliff Against Turbines - representing more than 10 rural communities in the corridor astride the main A15 road north of Lincoln.

The group says more than 3,500 documents were delivered to the Planning Inspectorate’s Bristol Office on Thursday June 26. This is in addition to the approximately 3,000 documents that should have been sent by West Lindsey.

“That equates to at least 4,500 letters of objection [not counting all those that were sent directly to West Lindsey or the Planning Inspectorate]. “

“We believe that the actual total could be as many as 5,000 GENUINE LETTERS OF OBJECTION AND REAFFIRMATION. That is a totally awesome response and shows the strength of feeling amongst those communities that would be directly affected by this proposal,” said the VOCAT website.